Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

Did you know that rabbits love pumpkin seeds? 

But do they also eat pumpkin leaves, stems, and peels? Do they eat the whole thing?

The most important thing is, is it safe for them to eat? 

Are there any benefits for rabbits if they eat pumpkin seeds and other parts of pumpkin?

Read more to find out!

Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

Pumpkin seeds are rich in vitamins and minerals, even fibre. 

They’re also a great source of energy.

But they’re not just nutritious; they’re delicious too!

So, can rabbits eat pumpkin seeds? Yes, they can! And they love them!

However, when feeding your rabbit pumpkin seeds, be careful not to overfeed them.

Pumpin seeds have some health benefits for rabbits, but they’re not the best for them.

Health Benefits Of Pumpkin For Rabbits

Nutrients Present In Raw Pumpkin

• Energy
• Carbohydrates
• Sugars
• Dietary fibre
• Fat
• Protein
• Vitamin A
• Thiamine
• Riboflavin (B2)
• Niacin (B3)
• Pantothenic acid (B5)
• Vitamin B6
• Folate (B9)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Zinc

The main health benefits of pumpkins for rabbits:

• Hydration or Water Intake – Pumpkin consists of 94% water, which helps the rabbits’ digestive system and prevents dehydration. Water also makes them feel full, so it prevents overheating.
• Promotes healthy coat and vision and internal organs. Pumpkins are an excellent source of Vitamin A for rabbits which helps them get a healthy coat and vision. It also helps their heart, lungs, and kidneys to function properly.
• Helps relax muscles and improve heart health. The Potassium and Magnesium in pumpkin help rabbits have relaxed muscles and better sleep. They’re also great for the heart.
• Promotes healthy metabolism. The zinc in pumpkin is important for several metabolic processes, including protein synthesis, a process that can improve wound healing and coat health. The Manganese content of pumpkin also helps the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
• Promotes blood and bone health. Pumpkin seeds have a healthy amount of Vitamin K for rabbits, which improves their blood circulation and lowers the risk of blood clots. Vitamin K, Phosphorous, and Calcium content of pumpkin also help improve bone health. The folate in pumpkin also boosts rabbits’ immunity and improves the production of red blood cells.

Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Seeds For Rabbits:

Nutrients Present In Pumpkin Seeds:

• Vitamin A
• B-Complex Vitamins
• Calcium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Copper
• Manganese
• Potassium  

The main health benefit of pumpkin seeds for rabbits:

Rabbits lack the ability to store zinc. They need a supply of dietary zinc every day from their food.

That’s where pumpkin seeds come in; pumpkin seeds are actually an excellent source of zinc.

Zinc plays a vital role in many metabolic processes, such as:

• Healthy Immune System
• Wound Healing
• Growth and Development
• DNA Synthesis
• Protein Synthesis
• Healthy Skin 
• Healthy Coat 

Can Pumpkin Be Bad For Rabbits?

Unfortunately, yes. 

As the saying says, too much of anything is bad. 

The benefits of pumpkin come with a risk. 

Seeds and nuts are fatty foods, including raw seeds. 

Rabbits have more sensitive digestive tracts than humans. They can’t digest fats properly.

Aside from digestion, too much fat can also affect the proper motility of the GI tract in rabbits.

Excess fat can also cause severe health complications when it accumulates in the arteries and liver.

The fat also makes rabbits gain weight or become obese.

Another concern with feeding pumpkin seeds to your rabbit is choking. Pumpkin seeds can also easily get stuck in their teeth.

How About Other Pumpkin Parts?

Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkin Skin?

Yes, it’s perfectly fine for rabbits to eat pumpkin skin or pumpkin peel.  

In fact, pumpkin skin is more nutritious for rabbits than the flesh itself.

Pumpin skin also has fewer carbohydrates and more fibre than pumpkin flesh.

Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkin Leaves, Stems, And Flowers?

Technically, they can eat pumpkin leaves and stems, but it’s better if they don’t.

Pumpkin leaves and stems are rich in calcium, which might be too rich for the rabbits to handle. 

Rabbits absorb almost all of the calcium they get from their food, and the rich amount of calcium on pumpkin leaves and stems may lead to excess calcium.

Excess calcium in rabbits gets stored in their bladder in the form of crystals which results in paste-like urine or sludge. These can also become stones in the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. 

They can also cause inflammation of the bladder wall.

On the other hand, rabbits can eat pumpkin flowers safely.

How To Feed Pumpkin To Your Rabbits

As with any other new food, take your time and introduce them slowly and in small, bite-size pieces. 

Make sure to wash the pumpkin, especially the skin, flowers, leaves, and stems, thoroughly with water to get rid of any pesticides or chemicals on them.

Chop the raw pumpkin flesh into small pieces, so they’re not a choking hazard. 

As mentioned above, they may be too potent, but if you really want, you can have your rabbit nibble a little bit on the stems and leaves of pumpkins once in a while. 

For the seeds, since they could be a choking hazard, you can powderize or make them into flakes before mixing them in their food.

You should also give them raw pumpkin seeds. If you’re not preparing the pumpkin seeds yourself, make sure to get organic pumpkin seeds. 

Do not give your rabbits canned pumpkin as those may have too much sugar content.

Only give pumpkin to rabbits 1-2 times a week. 

You can cook the pumpkin, but cooked pumpkin will be less satisfying for your rabbit because it’ll lose its crunchiness.

It’s better to give them just washed, raw, and in small pieces. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, rabbits can technically eat most parts of the pumpkin, including the seeds, but raw and in reasonable quantities. It is safe for them.

Also, give them as bite-size pumpkin pieces or for the seeds, you can grind them smaller, so they aren’t a choking hazard. 

You can safely give it to them as an occasional treat that’s a part of their balanced diet.

Just make sure to pay attention to how your rabbit acts after being fed any parts of the pumpkin.

Contact your veterinarian if your healthy rabbits get any unusual symptoms like diarrhoea, gas, upset stomach or any digestive issues and dental problems.

If you can, it’s best to consult your veterinarian even before trying to feed your pet rabbit pumpkin seeds and other pumpkin parts.